Why are Florida's maternity wards closing?
Many Floridians are feeling financially squeezed as costs continue to rise. Hospitals are searching for savings, too. And maternity wards, units that are costly to run and don’t make as much money as cardiology and other specialties, are ending up on the chopping block. Florida is one of the states that have seen the most obstetric unit closures in rural counties over the past decade, according to a recent study published in Health Affairs, a monthly peer-reviewed healthcare journal. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
New nursing home regs for patient safety culture surveys are in the works
Florida health care regulators are developing rules to implement a new law that requires nursing homes to anonymously survey their staff about their patient safety culture — a move being heralded by one of the largest watchdog groups in the state. The Agency for Health Care Administration announced Thursday thatit was drawing up the rules to carry out the new law that was included at the last minute as part of the Legislature’s budget negotiations. [Source: Florida Phoenix]
New Florida law requires allergy training for school staff in extended day programs
Florida schools must now be prepared to handle allergic emergencies, both during regular school hours as well as before and after class. A new state law requires all K–8 public schools to train staff to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction and administer an EpiPen if needed. That training must also include staff in extended day and after-school programs, which previously had no such requirement. [Source: WCTV]
Raw milk linked to 21 illnesses in Florida, health officials warn
The Florida Department of Health is urging residents to be cautious about consuming raw, unpasteurized milk following an outbreak that has sickened 21 people, including six younger than 10. At least seven people have been hospitalized, and two developed severe complications, the agency said in a bulletin issued Monday. The cases were reported in North and Central Florida. The illnesses were linked to raw milk from one farm with concerning sanitation practices, officials said [Source: Health News Florida]
Florida lawmakers secure $3.75 million to advance sickle cell treatment
Two Tampa Bay lawmakers have secured nearly $4 million to improve treatment for people with sickle cell disease. State Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, and state Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, are touting state allocations for two major initiatives through the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research. The money is intended to address a longstanding gap in knowledge about sickle cell-related mortality. One goal is to encourage autopsies for those who die from the disease. That data will guide treatment, inform public health strategies and strengthen advocacy efforts. [Source: WFSU]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Orlando nonprofit clinic opens Venus Center to address women's health care needs
At a time when nonprofit women's health clinics are facing national challenges, 26Health expanded the services of one of its clinics to address the growing need. On Saturday, 26Health hosted the grand opening of its Venus Center, an expansion of its downtown Orlando location. OB-GYNs across the country are in short supply, with estimates predicting a shortage of nearly 10,000 by 2037, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.
› FIU researchers use AI to detect heart disease early with '95% accuracy'
The future of heart disease detection and prevention may have started with an opera singer. When Joshua Hutcheson heard about how his wife — then a grad student — was studying how subtle changes in vocal chords could affect a singer's voice, he started thinking about the heart in a completely new way. He began to wonder: If trained ears can pick up imperceptible differences in voice, could artificial intelligence detect subtle changes in the sound of a heartbeat?
› HCA Florida Ocala hospital chosen to launch institute’s first research program in North Florida
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital has been selected by the HCA Healthcare Research Institute to launch the institute’s first research program in North Florida. Dr. Charles Ledonio, the hospital’s research program manager, has partnered with physician leadership to oversee and launch the program, one that includes interventional clinical trials in cardiac and vascular disease and neuroscience.
› No insurance? Where to find mental health help in Brevard
In Brevard County, the Space Coast Health Foundation’s 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment found that 15.1% of adults in Brevard County said they needed mental health care in the past year but couldn’t get it — a rate notably higher than the national average of 13.2%. The top barriers? Cost, lack of insurance and limited availability of services.